An Otley shop keeper has been heavily fined after selling alcohol to a 14-year-old girl only an hour after being warned by police officers.

Ian McIntyre, 55, the licensee of Parry's in Crossgate, pleased guilty to four offences of selling alcohol to minors and one of failing to display his licence to sell alcohol, yesterday at Leeds Magistrates Court.

The court heard that McIntyre on October 2 last year sold 13 bottles of WKD, an alcoholic Iron Bru, and a can of Special Brew to a 15-year-old girl.

Dominic Barry, prosecuting, said the teenager was sold the liquor without McIntyre asking how old she was or for any identification.

Later the same evening, a 16-year-old boy purchased a bottle of WKD and another boy of the same age bought a can of Miller lager. On the last occasion McIntyre did ask how old the boy was, the court heard.

He said he was 18 but McIntyre did not ask for any identification. Questioned by police, he said he thought the girl was 19 because she had come in previously with a baby.

McIntyre told them: "Sometimes you are just too busy and sometimes you have hassle. You want them out of the shop quickly."

By coincidence West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service was also investigating the store, the court was told.

Barry Khan, prosecuting on their behalf, said: "At 9.15pm after Sergeant Johnson had warned him about selling beverages to under age people, a 14-year-old girl purchased a two and a half litre bottle of Woodpecker cider."

McIntyre had also received a letter from Trading Standards last February warning him about selling alcohol to minors.

Trainee Trading Standards officer Carolyne Dollins said in a statement that she had told McIntyre that the girl was 14 years old. He smelt of alcohol and admitted the police had already been in to warn him.

McIntyre of Guycroft, Otley, who has had the shop for ten years without any trouble, was fined £250 for each offence pursued by the Crown and £500 for the Trading Standards offence. In addition he was ordered to pay a total of £25 for failure to display the appropriate licence at his store.

He was also ordered to pay costs bringing the total amount to £1,810.83 which he was ordered to pay within 14 days.

The chairman of the bench David Tempest told him: "It is obvious to us and to you that you don't have adequate procedures in place to avoid people under 18 purchasing alcohol from your premises.

"Hopefully you will rectify that. We are imposing a financial penalty."

After the hearing Trading Standard senior enforcement officer Paul Smith said he was very pleased with the fine and said he hoped it would act as a deterrent to any future licensees out there that they must be more vigilant.

He said Mr McIntyre would now face the prospect of having his licence revoked.

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